New Roofs in Great Dunmow - How to Choose the Right Contractor

Expert New Roofs
in Great Dunmow

What a New Pitched Roof Actually Involves

A new pitched roof is not simply swapping old tiles for new ones. The work covers stripping the existing covering, inspecting and repairing the timber structure underneath, fitting new breathable underlay, battening to the correct gauge for the tile or slate chosen, and then laying the covering itself. Flashings, ridge and hip work, valley linings and any chimney detailing all need to be done properly before a single tile goes on.

At Haverhill Roofers we cover new roofs on extensions, new builds and outbuildings across Haverhill and the villages nearby, including Great Dunmow. We work with concrete tiles, clay tiles, natural slate and Suffolk pantiles, and we'll help you pick what suits the building and your budget.

Why Choosing the Right Contractor Matters More Than Anything

A new roof is one of the largest single investments you'll make in a property. The materials themselves will often last 30 to 60 years or more if the job is done correctly. A poor installation, however, can cause leaks, structural damage and costly remedial work within a few years. The contractor you choose determines the outcome far more than the brand of tile on the packet.

The roofing trade has no single mandatory licensing requirement, which means almost anyone can call themselves a roofer. That places the responsibility on you to ask the right questions before you agree to anything.

Questions to Ask Before You Agree to a New Roof

Before you sign anything or pay a deposit, get clear answers to each of the following. A reliable roofer will not hesitate to answer them.

• Who will actually be on site? Ask whether the person quoting you is the person doing the work, or whether subcontractors will be used. If subcontractors are involved, ask how their work is supervised and checked.
• Can you show me examples of completed new roofs? Photographs on a phone are a start, but ideally ask for a local address you can drive past and look at. A well-laid roof has straight, even courses, tight ridge and hip work, and neat mortar or dry-fixed detailing with no lips or gaps.
• What underlay will you use? Modern breathable felt (often called vapour-permeable underlay) is the current standard for pitched roofs. Older impermeable felt can cause condensation problems inside the roof space over time. Ask specifically which product they plan to use and why.
• What battens do you use, and do you treat them? Roof battens should be pressure-treated to resist rot. Ask whether they comply with BS 5534, the British Standard for slating and tiling.
• How will the ridge and hips be finished? There are two approaches: mortar-bedded or dry-fixed. Dry-fixed systems use mechanical fixings and are less likely to crack or lift over the years, though they cost a little more. Ask which they recommend and why.
• What does the quote include and what does it exclude? Ask whether skip hire, scaffolding, disposal of old materials and VAT are included. A quote that looks lower may simply have left these items off the page.
• What happens if they find rotten timbers? The answer should be that they stop, show you, give you a price for the repair and get your agreement before continuing. Any contractor who says they'll just crack on without asking is one to avoid.
• What tile or slate are they specifying, and can you see a sample? Tile manufacturers vary considerably. Ask for the product name and look it up. If they are vague about what they are using, that is a warning sign.

Getting and Comparing Quotes

A quote for a new roof should be in writing and should itemise the main elements: strip and dispose of old covering, underlay, battens, tiles or slate, ridge and hip system, flashings and any associated repair work. A single lump-sum figure with no breakdown gives you nothing to compare and nothing to challenge if something is missed.

Getting two or three quotes is sensible on a job of this size. When you compare them, look at what each one specifies rather than simply the final number. A quote that specifies a named tile, a breathable underlay product and a dry-fix ridge system is easier to compare honestly than one that says only "supply and fit new concrete tiles".

Be cautious of quotes that arrive very quickly, especially if the contractor has not spent time measuring the roof or discussing the detail with you. A proper survey of a new roof takes time.

Materials: What Are Your Options?

Concrete interlocking tiles are the most widely used on new pitched roofs. They are durable, come in a wide range of profiles and colours, and are competitively priced. A standard concrete tile roof on a typical extension or outbuilding might cost in the region of £80 to £120 per square metre installed, depending on the complexity of the roof.

Clay tiles give a warmer, more traditional appearance and are often preferred where the property or its neighbours have existing clay coverings. They tend to cost more than concrete but hold their colour better over time.

Natural slate is the most expensive option but can last well over 100 years when laid correctly. Welsh or Spanish slate are the most common sources. The quality of slate varies significantly, so ask specifically where the slate originates and what thickness is being used.

Suffolk pantiles are a regional clay tile with a distinctive S-shaped profile. They suit properties across this part of East Anglia and Essex where that look fits the surrounding buildings. Not every roofer has experience laying them correctly, so it is worth asking how many pantile roofs they have completed.

What a Good Installation Looks Like

Once work is underway, you should expect the scaffold to be stable and properly tied in. The roof structure should be inspected before any underlay goes down, and any rotten or undersized timbers replaced before covering proceeds. Underlay should be lapped correctly and run horizontally from eaves to ridge with no tears or gaps around penetrations.

Tiles or slate should be mechanically fixed, not just bedded. Ridge tiles should be either dry-fixed or, if mortar-bedded, pointed neatly with the mortar pressed well in. Lead flashings around chimneys and abutments should be properly stepped, dressed and sealed, not just stuffed with frame sealant.

At the end of the job, the site should be cleared, all offcuts and old material removed, and the gutters checked to make sure they are not blocked with debris from the work.

Areas We Cover Near Great Dunmow

From our base in Haverhill we take on new roof work across a wide area, including Great Dunmow and the surrounding area.

Ready to Get Started?

Call us to arrange a roof survey so we can measure up, discuss materials and give you a written, itemised quote. Come prepared with your questions and we'll work through every one of them with you.